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Therapeutic Horsemanship for Persons with Disabilities
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Trotting In To 2010author: Aggie StrootDecember 20, 2009 It’s hard to believe that we are ready to start 2010. When I was QUITE A BIT younger I used to think that I would never be around when the year 2000 hit. Here I am 10 years past that and looking forward to 2020!!! One just never can comprehend the vastness of years to come and what they may hold in store for us. One of the things we can comprehend at this point is that 2010 will once again be a year for continuing growth and successes for the Mounted Eagles’ participants. Our participation numbers continue to increase and we are proud and privileged to be a part of so many special families. It is our honor to be a part of bringing happiness into the lives of individuals who face difficult challenges in every aspect of their life. Lots of you who ride have had meaningful firsts since you’ve been with us: First steps, first words, first comprehension of patterns, first time to win a ribbon, first time to make a friend horse or human and so on. Our volunteers have been there as a source of constant support and encouragement for you to accomplish some these “firsts”. The impact being there has had on the lives of the staff and volunteers of M.E. means more than you could ever imagine. We still face major challenges in securing outside funding but we hope that will diminish somewhat as the economy goes upward. During 2009 we were denied grant monies that we had requested and our fund raising events were not as profitable as they have in the past, but that won’t stop us. Funding declines but expenses, mainly the care of our horses, continue. We will continue to work hard to find money to cover expenses for the care of our horses, the use of the facility and insurance. The average cost per hour for us to operate in 2009 was $87.78 per student. With your help WE CAN DO IT! When we ask you to participate in fund raising events, it is because we have no other options or financial resources and hope that you will help us just as you help football, soccer, band and other extra curricular activities for your other family members and/or friends. At this time we do not plan to increase the riding fees for 2010. They will remain at $20 per ½ hour and $40 per hour. We will review the program’s financial situation mid-year and, if needed, look at a small increase at that time. We will make the increase only if we have no other option. If you do not pay on a weekly basis, billing will be done at the end of every six-week session. If you have a change in your billing procedures or would like for me to begin billing procedures, please let me know. Mounted Eagles has a commitment to turn no one away because of their inability to pay. We have a “Ridership Fund” that provides full or partial financial assistance to those who meet the criteria and cannot afford to pay the full amount of the lesson fee. The names of recipients of these funds are kept confidential. Because Ridership funds are raised through various fundraising events and/or requests from donors, it is a REQUIREMENT that the recipient of the funds or his/her representative (parent, caregiver, foster parent, family member, etc.) actively participate in a minimum of two of the Mounted Eagles’ fundraising events during the current year and/or secure funding from outside sources for a minimum of fifteen ½hr lessons for the Ridership Fund Account ($300). During 2009 we had some participants who did not fulfill this requirement. We will be strictly enforcing and monitoring the completion of this requirement during 2010 so that we can be fair to all recipients. If you are a recipient of the scholarship funds and have not been participating in the required number of fund raising events or have been unable to secure monies for the Ridership Fund, please start making plans to do so in the coming year. It is your program and we want you to feel some ownership in the program’s success which results in the successes of your loved one who is a participant. As soon as the Fund Raising Calendar for 2010 is complete, I will be contacting each Ridership recipient representative to pre-schedule the events you will be asked to participate in. We will also be looking at more partial scholarship funding vs. full funding depending on your past participation in the fund raising efforts. Easy ways to help with funding riding lessons is to ask family and friends to make Birthday, Christmas and other special event gifts be payment for riding lessons or a donation in honor of the rider to the Mounted Eagles’ Ridership Fund. During 2010 we plan to continue with the schedule of 6 weeks of riding and 2 weeks off. We feel that this schedule has been of great benefit to all. Our goal with this schedule is to cut down on cancelations as well as provide a much needed rest for the horses and volunteers. If everyone keeps the schedule in mind when planning vacations, doctor appointments and other activities, you won’t have to miss too many riding lessons. Cancelations impact the continuity of the benefits the rider is receiving as well as the financial aspect of the program. Enclosed is a Riding Calendar for the year. Volunteers, please make note of the scheduled Quarterly Volunteer Training Sessions. An agenda with the topic for each training session will be forthcoming. Riders, please remember to let us know as far in advance as possible if you cannot make your regularly scheduled riding lesson. Failure to give a minimum of 24 hrs notice of cancelation will result in your being charged for your lesson. Cancelations of 4 or more consecutive riding lessons may result in the loss of your time slot. Unexpected emergency situations will be evaluated as they occur. Volunteers, please remember to let us know as far in advance as possible if you cannot make your regularly scheduled volunteer time. Susie and our riders depend on you to be there to help them each week. When a volunteer doesn’t show up and we have no explanation to give their rider, it can be very upsetting to that individual. Your unplanned absence also makes it harder for Susie and the other volunteers to follow the lesson schedule for the day/night. If you have a pre-planned event, there is a book at the barn where riders and volunteers can write in the dates that you know you will not be attending lessons. Please use this book if at all possible. The number to call to report cancelations is 1.888.828.9920 or 568.5883. ****We do not plan to cancel lessons for reasons other than un-safe driving conditions. If we are unable to use some or all of the horses for lessons we will be conducting equine-related activities that are suitable to the needs of the participant and the normal charge will be applicable. **** For budgeting purposes you should count on a maximum of 39 riding lessons for the entire year. If you are interested in riding 2xs a week instead of once or increasing your riding time to 1 hour, we will try our best to accommodate you. Hourly lessons consist of part ground work with the horses and part riding. Just talk to Susie as soon as possible so she can plan for that option when preparing the 2010 riding schedule. Our LAST DAY of the 2009 Riding Season will be THURSDAY, December 17th. We will resume on TUESDAY, JANUARY 5th. If any of you have any questions regarding the contents of this letter, please do not hesitate to call, e-mail or talk with me in person. We realize that change can be hard, but we do believe that change can also be good for all involved. We are happy to answer any questions you might have. We welcome comments and suggestions from all of our participants. Thanks to all riders and volunteers for sharing your lives with us and for being a great part of ours. May God continue to bless each and every one of you! We wish you all a Safe and Happy Christmas Season! Change is good and we plan to stay focused on what's good for you in hopes that we can deliver only the best. See you all in January!
Aggie
Susie
218.568.5883
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